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C. KUENTZEL.

FLEXIBLESHAFT COUPLING.

APPLICATION man MAR. 29. 1911.

PutentedSept. 23,1919,

" srarns PATENT, orruofn.

CUR'I KUENTZEL, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE REPUBLIC RUBBER COMPANY, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FLEXIBLE SHAFT-COUPLING.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Cum:

Serial No. 158,350.

Fig. is a transverse sectional view Kunxcrzri ri, it through the link shown'by Fig. 4, but upon subject of the Emperor of Germany, Tesid- 'a somewhat enlarged scale for the sake of ing at Youngstown, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 1' lexible ShaitCouplings; and .I do'hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and e-Xaet description of the invention, such as wrll-enable others skilled in the art to which inappertains to make anduse the same.

My present invention relates to power transmitting shat-ts, but more particularly stated it relates to new and improved means for flexibly coupling together or mining the adjacent ends of shaft sections, and has for an object the simplification of such couplings.

As a further object the invention conte1nplates the production of flexible shatt-couplings which are peculiarly efficient, durable and economical in form of construction.

As a further object the present invention provides a flexible element made up of a plurality of independent members, any one of which may be. quicklyremoved androplaced in event of wear or breakage, w th out the necessity and expense of removing and replacing the whole.

A further object is the production of couplings, of the character indicated, capable of transmitting power from a prime mover (not shown) with a marked degree of flexibility, a certain degree of freedom for end play, and at the same time a ceitaln amount of automatic compensation for differences 1n alinement, or premeditated changes of direction in a line of shatting. I

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafter particularly described and then pointed out by the appended claims.

In the accompanying c'lrawings which form part of this application for Letters Patent, and whereon like numerals indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

l' igrure 1 a face view of coupling members the shaft being shown in St on.

.Fig. 2 is an edge View or sit e elevation of parts shown by lf'g. l.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. with parts in their relative petitions when operating upon shaft sei'ztious not in 'almement.

flexible driving link detached.

clearance.

Fig. (3 is also a perspective view showing one modified form of flexible driving link.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view through the link shown by Fig.6, also on a relatively enlarged scale, and,

Fig. 8 is a transverse section through a link such as shown by Fig. 4: but embodying another modified form of'construction.

Reference being had to the drawings and numerals thereon, 10 and 11 indicate adjacent ends respectively, of a sectional power transmitting shaft. The couplingmembeis with which these shaft sections are equipped are structurally identical, and for this reason a description of one set will suflice for both.

Upon each shaft section 10 and 11 are affixed, by keys 12, or otherwise, a. central hub 13 forming part of a radial enlargement 14 which in the present illustrations takes the formof a plurality of equidistant radial arms 15 m which are mounted studs or pins 16 carrying on their outer screw-threaded ends suitable washers 17 and nuts 18 for purposes which will later appear,

When properly assembled as shown by Fig. 2, the aforesaid radial enlargements, or sets of radial arms 15, are spaced apart slightly in adjacent planes, the armsof one set being staggered with relation to those of the other set as shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings. And, projecting inwardly from the opposing facesof each radial enlargement or set of'arms 15 are the pins 16 aforesaid, the ins of one'set of said arms bein v operative y connected in pairs with those 0 the other set of said arms by a series of overlapping continuous flexible and non stretchable links 19, as shown by Figs. 4, 5, (l, 7 and 8.

These links 1.) collectively encircle the en-- tire structure. there being two upon each pin 16 in which position theyare removably retained by means of the washers 17 and nuts 18. hereinhet'ore mentioned, which also prevent accidental separation of the coupling members as a whole. The said links may be of any flexible material and of various forms. 'lhey may be elliptical as shown by Fig. -l. or of practically solid formation as shown by Fig. 6, but in either Specification of Letters Patent: Patented Sept. 23, 1919. i

Application filed March 29, 1917. i

event they are preferably made of laminations of rubber coated fabric 20 inclosed within an envelop of rubber or other suitable moisture-proof material 21. Or, as

5 shown by'Fig. 8 the said links 19 may if desired be made of rubberized cord strands or wire strands '22 inclosed as before described by a moisture-proof covering.

This being a description of my improved form of flexible shaft coupling its use and operation are quite obvious, and need not therefore be dwelt upon at much length.

Rotation of the shaft section 10in either directiondrives itscoacting section 11 by agency of the interposed flexible links 19;

and, because of that flexibility, as indicated by 1 3 of the drawings, it matters not if the said shaft sections are considerably out of actual alinement. Moreover, a slight degree of torsional elasticity is thus obtained, slight end thrusts of the shaft sections permitted, errors of alinement compensated for and a general increase in etiiciency and durability obtained.

Having thus described my invention, what I now claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. In a flexible shaft-coupling the combination with a sectional shaft, of radial arms at the coupling ends of said shaft sections, pins projecting inwardly from the opposing faces of said arms, and flexible non-stretchable links connecting the pins of one set of arms with those of the other set of arms in pairs said links comprising a laminated body inciosed within an envelop of suitable moisture-proof material.

of one enlargement with those of the other enlargement in pairs.

3. In a flexible shaft coupling the combination with driving and rlven shaft sections having qu'adriform enlargements at their adjacent ends respectively, pins projecting inwardly and alternately from outermost positions of each quadriform enlargement, and flexible, non-stretchable, overlapping links connecting the ins of one enlargement with those of the o her enlargement in pairs and in substantially a circular series.

- i. In a flexible shaft coupling the combination. with driving and driven shaft sections having enlargements comprising radial arms at their adjacent ends respectively, pins projecting inwardly and alternately from opposing surfaces-of said arms," fiexible, non-stretchable, overlapping links connecting the pins of one enlargement with those of the other enlargement in pairs, and a moisture-proof envelop inclosing each of said links.

In testimon whereof I altix my signature in presence 0 two subscribing witnesses.

CURT KUENTZEL. Witnesses Fnaxx DUNN, IV. DUNN. 

